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Kate Upton makes the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue

February 14, 2012 | 7:48
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Kate Upton will no longer just be known as the girl who taught Clippers fans -- and anyone else who has a computer -- how to do The Dougie.

Upton, the now-19-year-old model whose video of herself doing the ubiquitous dance at Staples Center during the Clippers-Oklahoma City Thunder game in April became an Internet sensation, is the cover girl for the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Born in Michigan but raised in Florida, Upton caught the public's eye with her first appearance in the SI swimsuit issue last year, in which she was named rookie of the year. A couple of months later she went viral with her bubbly and enthusiastic interpretation of the dance that accompanies "Teach Me How to Dougie," by Cali Swag District.

And now she appears on the cover of the SI issue that helped launch such models as Christie Brinkley and Elle Macpherson into superstardom.

“I have had a great year,” she said. “For me, this is groundbreaking.”

On the cover, she poses in front of the waters of Australia wearing a rather small red-and-brown string bikini.

“In Florida, people walk around in their flip-flops, bikinis and jean shorts, so I'm very comfortable in a bathing suit,” she said.